In the Court of the Crimson King (Deluxe) |  | Artist: King Crimson
Label: Discipline Us
Category: Music
List Price: $24.98
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Seller: -importcds
Rating:  32 reviews
Sales Rank: 2,811
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 2
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.3
Dimensions (in): 5.4 x 5 x 0.6
MPN: 674001
UPC: 633367400123
EAN: 0633367400123
ASIN: B002M3GPOS
Release Date: November 10, 2009
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Tracks:
Disc 1
| • | 21st Century Schizoid Man | | • | I Talk to the Wind | | • | Epitaph | | • | Moonchild | | • | The Court of the Crimson King | | • | Moonchild 2009 mix (full version) | | • | I Talk to the Wind (Alternate take - Duo version) | | • | I Talk to the Wind (Alternate Mix) | | • | Epitaph (Backing track) | | • | Wind Session (from album session recordings) |
Disc 2
| • | Moonchild 2009 mix full version | | • | I Talk to the Wind Alternate take - Duo version | | • | I Talk to the Wind Alternate Mix | | • | Epitaph Backing track | | • | Wind Session from album session recordings | | • | 21st Century Schizoid Man Instrumental mix | | • | I Talk to the Wind Studio run through | | • | Epitaph Alternate version | | • | Moonchild Take 1 1 | | • | The Court of the Crimson King Take 3 | | • | Bonus Video of 21st Century Schizoid Man as performed at Hyde Park July 1969. |
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Product Description
Second release in the 40th Anniversary series, this version of one of the most revered rock albums of all time contains a compact disc with 5.1 surround sound mix by Steven Wilson, with Robert Fripp as executive producer, from the original studio masters, as well as a new stereo mix from the original multitrack tapes. Disc one also features five previously unreleased tracks. Disc two is a DVD A which features both the original album imx and the new album mix in high res stereo, as well as three bonus tracks in high res stereo.
Album Description
2009 CD/DVD set, the second release in the 40th Anniversary series. This version of the 1969 album, one of the most revered rock albums of all time, contains a compact disc with 5.1 surround sound mix by Steven Wilson (with Robert Fripp as executive producer) from the original studio masters, as well as a new stereo mix from the original multitrack tapes plus five previously unreleased tracks. Disc two is a DVD-A which features both the original album mix and the new album mix in high res stereo, as well as three bonus tracks in high res stereo.
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 32
 Something for Everyone... November 10, 2009
Stuart Southerland (Tulsa, OK United States)
52 out of 52 found this review helpful
First of all, let me preface my comments by saying that I am a fan of surround. Generally, when given the choice between stereo and 5.1 I will always listen to the 5.1 version. This time, I prefer the MLP lossless stereo version of In the Court of the Crimson King. I think that it has enormous clarity, but is smoother and more listenable than the surround version.
I am not sure whether it is the excellent mix on this 2009 stereo version or a weakness in the 5.1 version (probably a little of both), but this time around the separation and distinct presentation of the instruments and voice were at times a bit distracting to me in surround. In particular, "The Court of the Crimson King" sounded much better to me in the stereo version. For example, the keyboards coming from the left channel in 5.1 were a bit overwhelming to me. The distorted vocals in 21st Century Schizoid Man are isolated in the center channel, which makes Greg Lake sound, well, even more distorted.
I have the 1999 remaster, which as I understand it, was not taken from the original master tapes (as was this new version). The clarity of this 2009 version, compared to the 1999 mix of In the Court of the Crimson King, is very much improved. If you do not have a remix taken from the original master tapes, this is worth the money. Plus, there are so many different versions of this album it's hard to compare them all. It's fun to try, though. The 2 disc set contains: 1.) MLP lossless 5.1 surround; 2.) MLP lossless stereo; 3.) DTS 5.1 surround; 4.) LPCM stereo; 5.) standard CD stereo on a second disc. The CD stereo is the 2009 remaster, but the DVD also contains the 24-bit "Original Master Edition 2004." There is additional audio content on the DVD, including a "full version" of Moonchild, a duo version and alternate mix of "I Talk to the Wind," the backing track from "Epitaph," and studio tapes from the sound effects recording for the beginning of "21st Century Schizoid Man." There is an "alternate album" mix. The video is a brief edit from Hyde Park in 1969, and the quality is poor.
I just noticed that the December issue of Sound and Vision magazine has an article (several, actually) on the King Crimson 2009 releases as well as Steve Wilson and surround sound. It's worth a read if you are interested in these recordings.In the end, I have to go with five stars on In the Court of the Crimson King. This is, after all, one of the top 100 records ever made. I may have gone less than five stars for the surround mix, but the 2009 stereo mix is top notch. There is something here for every fan of this album to enjoy.
A Fresh Vintage Masterpiece, mixed from scratch. Very nice! November 11, 2009
Eric Sorensen (Louisiana)
18 out of 18 found this review helpful
Get this one before the price goes even higher. This is another fine job by Steve Wilson (porcupine tree) mixing a King Crimson masterpiece. Other reviewers will no doubt go into details about how and why and what is so good about this album's re-mixing. My last version of this was vinyl, so all I can say is it's really, really, really sounds great! DVD-Audio in 5.1 is the way to listen to music! Who whould have thought Fripp and Wilson could have gotten so much fidelity out of those old anologue tapes from 1969? It's clear and crisp with a full frequency response - and no hiss, pops, rumble or flutter! A really fine job. King Crimson's Red in 5.1 is also outstanding, if not better, than this release. I would check it out, too.
Awesome Mix November 13, 2009
Devin The music man (Seattle, WA USA)
17 out of 17 found this review helpful
I actually think the inverse of the other comments. This 5.1 mix sounds much more dynamic than that of Red--whose stereo mix I preferred. This cd will never sound this good again and that is a guarantee. It should be mentioned that on both titles the stereo mix is of higher resolution (96/24 as opposed to 48/24), but " The Court" 5.1 really seems to have its own life, consciousness and existence--it is more free and unpredictable (like the way music sounds when you hear it live) and really keeps you on your toes with the surprises literally lurking around every turn. This is the way 5.1 should be!! Don't even hesitate to buy this one!!
Wonderful! November 14, 2009
Jerome Bush (Louisiana)
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
Love the 5.1 mix. Prefer the DTS version. Would love to have everything I own in 5.1. I wouldn't leave my sound room. Right now, I have to settle for David Crosby, Ringo Starr, and the Beatles. (just talking about CDs redone in DVD)
21st Centruy Schzoid Man: After the intro, the song explodes! Chords go through each channel separately. Sounds so good. Love Greg Lake's voice in the center channel--matches the mood of the song (if not the title). Micheal Giles's drumming is superb. I prefer it to Bill Bruford's playing. Actually, they're both the same kind of drummer: jazz drummer playing with a rock band. Giles would be at home with any jazz band (his work on "I Talk to the Wind" is so tasteful). I think Giles is just a bit braver with his fills and patterns. And the middle? So tight! You couldn't squeeze a 64th note in among those breaks!
I Talk to the Wind: That gorgeous flute! Lake singing harmony with himself. The bass is perfectly balanced. Lake is so talented on this and the acoustic. If you listen to the guitar solos, you'll hear a forerunner of Lake playing solos for ELP. I really enjoy being surrounded by music (real 5.1 not the processed stuff one can get from good receivers). Already mentioned: Giles's wonderful jazz drums with the 16th notes on the cymbals stronger than I've heard them before. Fripp's guitar coming through the center channel, usually reserved for vocals, is a vocal line in itself. The fade out abruptly ends and begins again. Hope this isn't a recording mistake.
Epitaph: Again, Fripp's guitar is in the center channel. This sounds exactly like some Lake solos with ELP. Giles provides a funeral march beat and tempo. The acoustic guitar shines in the middle (again, repeated in later ELP recordings by Greg Lake). Such a wonderful tone on Fripp's guitar. When he's not playing atonal guitar licks, he's really a maestro on the guitar. The mellotron swells in the background, with all channels full of the great sound. Almost too much to take in. The middle part goes into the dirge again, with loud toms accenting the marching funeral procession. Sinfield's lyrics still resonate today. What a poet!
"I fear tomorrow, I'll be crying" crescendo's into a strong ending, with Giles's tympani. Then a fade out. Lovely.
Moonchild/The Dream/and the Illusion: The sound begins in the left rear speaker, then moves to the front. Lake's vocals are gorgeous. Curiously, he has no vibratto at this stage. In later ELP (and solo LP), he develops (or begins to use) the vibratto. The whole beginning has a mysterious feel with Fripp's acoustic in the background. Great lyrics. Never really enjoyed the free-form ending, though it begins with little niceties: guitar, little percussion fills (cymbal work, little drumming fills), lovely little guitar chords. Then it goes into a collection of little noises. I know there are those who love this, but like Chicago's free form, I want the song to begin!
The Court of the Crimson King: Giles's intro , so recognizable now. The song is still gorgeous. Mellotron in the rear speakers. The acoustic playing those strange chords. Such an evil sound (and I mean that in a good way: it matches the song). The keys come through louder than I remember, but still sounding great. Giles's fills are so inventive. He has the rudiments down to perfection. Lake's bass (sound's like a fishing joke) is softer on this song. Still there but not as dominant. Fripp's playing in the center speaker with the flute taking the rear speakers again. What a glorious mix! Mellotron joins the mix, and Giles's cymbal work comes (again) like a jazz drummer). The "Court" sound is regal with the background voices announcing the King. More tympani from Giles. A false ending. Giles fills in with cymbal work. Then the wonderful idea of the keyboards sounding like a puppet show background (the underlying notes sounding offbeat but still coming out even with the keys). Now Lake's bass is in full throttle as Giles leads the group back in with another inventive fill. Love his work with the snare and cymbals on one of the fills particularly. The vacuum ending! Magnificent!
You have GOT to hear this on a good sound system! Haven't heard the rest. Just wanted to get this down before I forgot it. Maybe more later...
Surrounded in the Crimson Court! November 21, 2009
Martin A Hogan (San Francisco, CA. (Hercules))
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
Celebrating the 40th anniversary of King Crimson, producers Robert Fripp and Steve Wilson have left no stone unturned in this exhaustive edition. From the stereo album to DTS 5.1 digital surround, clips and bonus tracks, this is what fans have been waiting all this time for. Robert Fripp has been the only constant over the years with the band members changing nearly every album. This initial offering is one of the most intriguing.
The CD contains the original album with five songs remastered in clear stereo arguably better than the 2004 release. Every instrument is clearly heard and separated. But the bonus tracks are the most compelling. The full version of "Moonchild" is here along with a `duo version' and an alternate mix' (different solos) of the romantic " I Talk To The Wind". The backing instrumental track of "Epitaph" is mystical and mesmerizing. Remember that short intro of `wind/organ-like' sounds before "21st Century Schizoid Man"? Extracts from that are also included giving the listener an idea of how special effects were produced forty years ago.
The DVD is really why I bought this edition. The entire album is presented here in DTS 5.1 digital surround sound, giving new life to every instrument and vocal. The harsh quick guitar riff that runs throughout "21st Century Schizoid Man" travels from speaker to speaker around the room, while Greg Lake's equally sharp vocals are blasted from the front center. And that is just one song. The percussion varies throughout each song, but is so exact and clean you get a true sense of the extent of Michael Giles talent. Ian McDonald's woodwind instruments vibrate as if they are in the room with reed-like clarity. Fripp's guitar work is as varied as the song he is playing on. Also, many thanks go to lyricist Peter Sinfield.
The original Master Edition of the entire album from 2004 is included here just for comparison. Again all the five previously mentioned bonus tracks are in 5.1 surround sound here as well. Not to exclude anything from this special edition, the complete alternate album is included here as well, although in stereo. Not to be outdone, there is a two-minute black and white video in mono of the band doing "21st Century Schizoid Man" on an outdoor stage. For mono, its not bad at all.
Future albums of King Crimson are in the works, Red being released already and Lizard coming out in December of 2009. Robert Fripp is arguably one of rock's best musical genius. His guitar work and creations are legendary; beyond progressive rock. Having been the only constant all these years, Robert Fripp is King Crimson. This album is a classic.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 32
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